Employees

By Nadvia Davis Lifestyle

03 Oct: Minnesota mentor shares life lessons with next generation

Growing up, Johnnie Merritt felt like there weren’t many Black male role models for him to look up to. That’s what inspired him as an adult to sign up with the Twin Cities Big Brother Big Sister mentorship program.

“I thought that this would be a good space to fill that void for someone else,” Johnnie said.

Five months ago, the marketing analyst was matched with his 10-year-old mentee, Ayden. Coming into the match, Johnnie was curious and nervous, but he knew he wanted to give back to youth of color.

By Emily Gaylord Lifestyle

03 Oct: Store culture gives Massachusetts employee confidence to be himself

On his first day at Store 1532 in Burlington, Massachusetts, Ray Gao’s leaders told him their priority was for him to feel safe and comfortable at work so he can be his fullest self.

While simple, the statement meant a lot to the sales advisor. As a gay man who has autism, there have been multiple situations throughout his life where Ray has had to hide or hold back part of who he is. This immediate affirmation from his leaders gave Ray courage to ask for accommodations and talk openly about his background.

By Emily Gaylord Company News

28 Sep: Best Buy recognized for support of military employees

Best Buy was recently recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Defense for benefits and assistance available to military employees with the Above and Beyond Award.

In addition, multiple leaders across the company have received Patriot Awards for their personal support of an employee serving in the National Guard.

The Best Buy Military Employee Resource Group (ERG) leadership team accepted the Above and Beyond award on behalf of the company at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 30.

“We are genuinely honored to receive this award,” said ERG chair Nikki Kukla.

By Emily Gaylord Lifestyle

20 Sep: Best Buy, Yardbird provide outdoor furniture for Minneapolis cancer nonprofit

While undergoing treatment for illness, spending time outside in fresh air can be a respite for a patient and their loved ones. And it’s even better when enjoyed with a comfortable place to sit.

That’s why when Katie Berens, a Best Buy senior product manager, saw on her social media feed that the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Minneapolis needed to replace its damaged patio furniture, she wanted to see how we could help.

The Hope Lodge provides a home away from home for cancer patients and caregivers who must travel more than 40 miles for treatments.

By Olivia Bruce Lifestyle

14 Sep: Best Buy’s Hugh Cherne makes sustainability a lifestyle

Over 50 years ago, on April 22, 1970, the first celebration of Earth Day took place. More than 20 million Americans gathered to celebrate a day that would mark the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Hugh Cherne was in the crowd that day, and at the time didn’t know the profound impact it would have on his future career or that it would lead him to Best Buy. Now the company’s associate director of sustainability, the day lives on in Hugh’s memory as one that helped shape him into who he is today.

By Emily Gaylord Lifestyle

13 Sep: Attorney’s Nicaraguan roots drive him to help immigrants in U.S.

Editor’s note: Best Buy is proud to honor Latinx Heritage Month and celebrate our Latinx employees and communities. Read on for the story of one of our employees.

Braynell Estrada Britton began serving his community as early as elementary school in his hometown of Managua, Nicaragua. His parents and teachers taught him the importance of volunteering his time and how to use his talents and skills to help others.

Decades later, these values continue to shape the associate corporate counsel’s life.

By Ashlee Weidman Lifestyle

01 Sep: Philadelphia sales advisor celebrates her Puerto Rican heritage through art

Editor’s note: Best Buy is proud to honor Latinx Heritage Month and celebrate our Latinx employees and communities. Read on for the story of one of our employees.

Philadelphia sales advisor Lily Vega and her sister, Vanessa, were introduced to art at a young age. They would often watch their father draw cars in notebooks, learned of their uncles’ famous sculptures in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and followed along with their aunt’s New York fashion business.

This family legacy led to the sisters’ passion for art and drawing.

By Nadvia Davis Lifestyle

19 Aug: Retail supervisor captures picture-perfect team culture

Jay Minyety never took his photography skills seriously until someone expressed interest in purchasing one of his pictures. That’s when Jay, then an associate in the digital imaging department of Best Buy Store 1028 in Midtown Manhattan, New York, decided to focus on his passion.

Today, Jay is a retail supervisor at Store 821 in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the “culture captain” in the store, he uses his camera to foster a fun and inclusive environment for his team.

“The feeling of capturing a moment with people, I feel satisfied knowing that I’m able to tell a story through pictures,” he said.

By Olivia Bruce Lifestyle

17 Aug: Best Buy Teen Tech Center members take their learnings to summer internships

For Garrison Graham, now a Best Buy product flow specialist in Virginia, what started out as weekly visits to his local Teen Tech Center has now evolved into a paid, in-store internship experience.

Earlier this year, Garrison was given the opportunity to become one of 20 in our Career Pathways program, which focuses on the career development of the members of Teen Tech Centers, where he transitioned from Teen Tech Center member to Best Buy intern.

Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® provide safe, after-school spaces where teens can get hands-on experience with the latest technology alongside adult mentors and volunteers.

By Kara Boyle Lifestyle

28 Jul: Former interns offer 4 tips for summer success at Best Buy

With a brand-new class each summer, the Best Buy internship program has benefited many employees throughout its existence. This year, over 200 interns have joined Best Buy’s corporate team hoping to learn and grow professionally.

In honor of National Intern Day (July 28), five Best Buy interns from 2021 reminisced on their experiences and memories of their summer. From working on passion projects to making some of their closest friends, they all learned new skills and got an inside look at potential career paths.

By Kara Boyle Company News

21 Jul: Best Buy recognized as a 2022 Top Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

Best Buy earned a perfect 100 score to be named a 2022 “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index (DEI). It’s the eighth year in a row we’ve made the list.

The index is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that recognizes commitment toward disability equality practices and helps companies build a roadmap of actions that they can take to achieve inclusion and equality in the workplace.

We are proud to have earned top numbers across the 2022 scorecard.

By Emily Gaylord Company News

11 Jul: Best Buy Tidal Wave program brings new perspectives, opportunities

After about 20 years with Best Buy in product merchandising, Ryo Hamasaki was feeling stuck in his career. He enjoyed his work, but he wanted to make a bigger difference in people’s lives.

Victoria Dias has spent 28 years at Best Buy, most recently as a senior market director in the Southwest. She was looking to expand her network and learn more about how the company operates in other areas, especially corporate teams.

Through a program called Tidal Wave, Ryo and Victoria were both able to explore their career interests and gain new skills.

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